There's No Way

Magic

[Camila's POV]

Shawn and I spent the next thirty minutes wrapped up in each other's arms, hugging and kissing and repeatedly whispering to each other how much we love and care for one another. Yes, it was the most stereotypically gross and couple-y thing ever, and if anyone would've seen it I would've most likely died of embarrassment. However, with him, there was quite literally nothing else I wanted more than those gushy, lovey-dovey moments. We shared yet another sweet, tender kiss before he pulled back and awkwardly chuckled.

"So, um...I know that this typically comes before the 'I love you' and I don't have much experience in asking people this and honestly I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous as shit right now - and now that I'm thinking about it I probably could've done this in a more romantic way..." he anxiously rambled. I let out a small giggle and gently placed my hand on his cheek.

"Hey, Shawn, it's okay - just go for it," I reassured him, knowing exactly what he was wanting to ask me. He smiled softly, leaning his cheek into my hand a little bit more.

"D-do you wanna...maybe...be my g-girlfriend?" he shyly asked. I smiled wide, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before happily nodding.

"I would absolutely love to," I told him before pressing my lips against his for what was probably the two hundredth time in the last thirty minutes. I tried to ignore the overwhelming feelings of fear and pressure bubbling inside of me, but it was no use. I was terrified of what this meant and what was expected from me now. I had just gotten to the point where I could touch myself in a non-sexual way, the idea of touching myself in a sexual way - let alone letting someone else touch me in that way - still absolutely terrified me. Fear was beginning to overcome my entire being, and for a split second I internally debated calling the whole thing off and telling him I changed my mind. He must've sensed my anxieties, because he swiftly took both of my small hands into one of his and held them tight. He used his other hand to gently lift my chin up, my eyes meeting his.

"Hey, what just happened?" he asked, clearly concerned about the thoughts that had been plaguing my mind. "Your mind just went somewhere else, what's going on?" he asked again. I shook my head, too embarrassed to admit what I was actually afraid of.

"I'm okay," I responded, taking my eyes away from his and looking down at my lap. He didn't let me get out of answering him that easily though, as he quickly grabbed me by the chin and brought my head up so we were face to face once again. His eyes searched mine, noticing that I wasn't really okay.

"No, something's wrong...talk to me," he said. His hand gently caressed my back in an attempt to bring me some comfort. I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around his torso and burying my face into his chest in a hug.

"There's just still a lot that I have to work through, so..." I whispered into his chest. He looked down at me with furrowed brows, not fully understanding what I meant. I lifted my face from his chest and looked up at him. I watched as the realization of what I meant hit him, his facial expression softening as he pulled me closer to his chest.

"Woah hey, don't worry about that. I'm not going anywhere, you take as much time as you need to - okay?" he reassured me, running his fingers through my hair.

"Sorry," I whispered as I squeezed his torso a little tighter.

"Stop apologizing," he whispered as he pressed his lips against the top of my head. I looked up at him in amazement. I have no idea what I did to deserve someone as wonderful as him. Any of the other guys I've dated would've dropped me like a hot rock at the idea of not being able to immediately start having regular sex. It warmed my heart to know that this gentle giant actually cared about me and loved me for who I was, not just what I could do for him.

----

We ended up wrapped in each other's arms on the couch as we watched more reruns of I Love Lucy. We watched as Lucy and Ethel picked pieces of chocolate off of the conveyor belt in front of them and shoved them into their mouths. I let out a small giggle at their antics, only to hear it quickly followed by a soft snore coming from the handsome man laying beside me. I smiled and turned to face him, taking in the sight before me. I used my fingertips to gently brush the brunette curls that had fallen into his eyes away from his face before trailing them down his cheeks and across his jawline, finishing my inspection of this perfect specimen by softly brushing my thumb across his bottom lip. He smiled and puckered his lips, pressing a kiss to the pad of my thumb. I placed a chaste kiss to his chest before wrapping myself around him and cuddling up to him as close as I possibly could.

"I think you might be magic," I whispered into his chest. He let out an amused breath before quietly whispering into my ear.

"I happen to think you're pretty magical too, Cabello."

I couldn't help but smile like an idiot at his use of the nickname he had given me during our first week working together. My mind couldn't help but wander through all of the memories I had with Shawn, whether it be the surprise chai tea lattes I would find on my desk or the knowing glances we would flash each other, attempting to hold our laughter in when someone would make an unintentional innuendo during a meeting; he was always there by my side. I think part of me always thought things would end up like this eventually. The energy between us was always electric; there was always something pulling us toward one another like magnets.

I fell asleep with a smile on my face, wrapped in the arms of the man that I love and that I knew loved me too. And for the first time in a long time, I truly felt happy.